Okavango Delta Explorer Safari
7 Days • 6 Nights — Maun • Xini Lagoon • Xakanaxa • Khwai
Seven days deep in the Okavango Delta — the ideal introduction to Botswana's most extraordinary wilderness.
The Okavango Delta Explorer Safari focuses entirely on the Delta, taking you through three of Moremi Game Reserve's most rewarding areas: Xini Lagoon, Xakanaxa and Khwai. It's a shorter itinerary built around depth rather than distance — spending meaningful time in each location rather than moving quickly between them. Game drives, a boat tour through the Xakanaxa channels and a seasonal mokoro excursion give you three very different ways to experience the same extraordinary ecosystem. Private mobile camps are set up exclusively for your group, with no other guests sharing your space or your sightings.
This safari suits first-time visitors to Botswana, travellers with limited time, and anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the Okavango Delta without the add-ons. Seven days here is enough to understand why the Delta is one of the great wildlife destinations on earth.
Overview
Your safari begins in Maun and takes you deep into the Okavango Delta, moving through three of Moremi’s most rewarding wildlife regions. You start in the quiet floodplains of Xini Lagoon, continue to the permanent waterways of Xakanaxa, and end in the rich wildlife corridors of Khwai. It’s a relaxed, immersive journey that blends land and water activities for a complete Delta experience.
Safari Highlights
✦ A boat tour through the Xakanaxa channels, exploring open lagoons, narrow waterways and tall papyrus beds — a peaceful way to see hippos, crocodiles and many waterbirds.
✦ A seasonal mokoro excursion, offering a slow, quiet glide through shallow channels and lily‑dotted pools, guided by local polers who know the Delta’s waterways well.
✦ Excellent predator viewing across Xini, Xakanaxa and Khwai, three areas known for lions, leopards and sometimes wild dogs, with plenty of time to enjoy sightings without rushing.
✦ Elephant encounters in Khwai, where herds often move along the river and through the woodlands, especially in the late afternoon.
✦ Private serviced mobile camps, set up just for your group, with walk‑in tents, hot bucket showers, good meals and warm evenings around the fire.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Maun → Xini Lagoon (Moremi Game Reserve)
Meet your guide in Maun and begin your journey into Moremi Game Reserve. The drive takes you through riverine woodland and open floodplains where wildlife sightings often start early. Arrive at your private camp near Xini Lagoon, settle in, and enjoy your first Delta sunset around the fire.
Day 2 — Exploring Xini Lagoon
Spend the day on unhurried game drives through Xini’s mix of shallow channels, grasslands and shady forests. This area is known for elephants, lions, leopards and excellent birdlife. Return to camp for a hot shower, a relaxed dinner and stargazing under the African sky.
Day 3 — Xini → Xakanaxa (Moremi Game Reserve)
After breakfast, begin a slow game drive north toward Xakanaxa, one of the Delta’s most wildlife‑rich regions. Arrive at your new campsite in time for lunch and a rest before heading out for an afternoon drive. Xakanaxa’s permanent water channels create a lush, vibrant landscape full of activity.
Day 4 — Xakanaxa & Boat Cruise
Explore the Delta from the water on a boat tour through channels, lagoons and papyrus beds. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and heronries. In the afternoon, enjoy a land‑based game drive where predators often move along the waterways.
Activity - 1 hour boat cruise, upgraded to 2 hours for bookings departing in 2027
Day 5 — Xakanaxa → Khwai Community Area
Travel east toward Khwai, a region where wildlife moves freely between Moremi and community lands. Settle into your private campsite beneath tall riverine trees. Khwai is known for its strong predator activity, elephant herds and the chance to see wildlife right from camp.
Day 6 — Khwai & Mokoro Excursion
This morning, take a mokoro excursion through quiet, lily‑filled channels. It’s a gentle, peaceful way to experience the Delta. In the afternoon, enjoy a final game drive across the Khwai floodplains, where lions, wild dogs and buffalo are often seen.
Activity - Mokoro experience, guided by a professional Poler.
Day 7 — Khwai → Maun
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Maun with a final game drive along the way. Arrive around midday for your onward travel — carrying with you a week of Delta memories.
Pricing
2026 Rates (pp twin share)
◆ Peak (Jun–Oct) - USD 3,250
◆ Shoulder (Apr–May, Nov) - USD 2,850
2027 Rates (pp twin share)
◆ Peak (Jun–Oct) - USD 3,350
◆ Shoulder (Apr–May, Nov) - USD 2,950
Single Supplement: Up to three single tents are available with no single supplement.
If you would like to include gratuities up front, please let us know when booking. We are happy to arrange this for you.